Arizona mayors are pushing back against what they say is too soft of a stance taken by Gov. Doug Ducey’s stay-at-home order that went into effect Tuesday evening.
The governor’s order leaves essential businesses open and what’s included on the list, golf courses, pawnshops, state parks, is, they say, overly broad. Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego told KJZZ’s The Show most of those businesses aren’t considered essential by other states.
"Do we really need pawnshops and nail salons open while we are in a global pandemic?" she said.
Tucson Mayor Regina Romero said, "I know that he has been concerned about the economy, but all of us are concerned about the economy."
Ducey spokesman, Patrick Ptak, defended the governor’s decision. He said the Ducey administration is continuing to rely on guidance and is tracking developments in the pandemic. In the meantime, he said the state is working to increase capacity in hospitals.
Some new changes are already affecting the governor’s order.
One of the essential services Ducey listed was hiking, with a caveat for social distancing.
The National Park Service late Wednesday caved into pressure from Coconino County to close the Grand Canyon National Park in hopes of halting the spread of the virus. A 2017 National Park Service study found the Grand Canyon brought in more than $600 million to surrounding communities.
